Method and apparatus for avoiding data dependency hazards in a microprocessor pipeline architecture using a multi-bit age vector

A method and system for avoiding various hazards for instructions which are propagating through a microprocessor pipeline. When a plurality of instructions exist within the pipeline which read and write the same value, a vector is established to distinguish the older from the newer instructions. Further, before instructions are dispatched for execution, pointers are generated which identify the particular instruction which had the operand or parameter value needed. Accordingly, by monitoring both the recent vector and pointers, dated dependency hazards can be avoided.